Music

“Under” The Beats With Kendra Erika

(NEW YORK) Your week couldn’t have been as bad as Kathy Griffin’s, but if it was anywhere close and you need something new to decompress to this weekend, check out the latest jam from pop princess Kendra Erika. It was the song that took over gay dance floors this past Memorial Day Weekend, and the music video is out now.

Written by Kendra Erika and Grammy Award winner Damon Sharpe and produced by Sharpe, Jason Dauman, and Eric Sanicola, “Under My Skin” is a hypnotic Big Room track that is both playful and alluring with sweeping build-ups and hard drops.

“I love the whole ‘let’s see if we get caught’ theme in the song,” says Kendra Erika. “Young people today feel invincible when it comes to love and life and if you think about it, we should, because we’re still discovering who we are and where we stand.

“I think everyone can relate because we’re all young and stupid at some point in our lives,” she laughs.

‘Under My Skin’ is the follow-up to Kendra Erika’s ‘Oasis’, her first collaboration with Damon Sharpe. It reached #9 on the Billboard Dance Charts in November.

“Kendra and I went into the studio hoping to re-create the magic of ‘Oasis’,” recalls Damon Sharpe. “I think we succeeded. Kendra and I have a chemistry that shines.”

Damon Sharpe knows about chemistry with artists. He has written and produced for a wide array of pop’s greatest including Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Kylie Minogue and Natalie Cole.

Kendra Erika is a South Florida native. Her Deep House/Pop recording style developed from hanging out in Miami clubs. “House music offers an experience for all the senses to enjoy,” she says. “I aim to take people on an elevating, emotional journey with my songs.”

“Kendra continues to prove that her talent is really flowering,” says Jason Dauman of Dauman Music. “We’re excited that the clubs really embraced the track over Memorial Day Weekend. We hope it continues through the summer!”

No doubt it will. Especially considering the powerhouse production team of Marc Stout a/k/a Mixin Marc, best known for their work with The Chainsmokers, David Guetta, Rihanna, Diplo, Demi Lovato and Katy Perry, are providing the remixes.

“I really hope the song impacts club fans in a big way,” continues Kendra Erika. “That it gets under their skin! Whether dancing out at the club, or in workout beast mode at the gym, or even if simply cruising along in their car, I want the song to lift minds to new heights.”

“Under My Skin” is being released globally through Dauman Music and Sony Red and is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, and all other major retailers. It is also available for streaming through Pandora and Spotify. To learn more, visit Kendra Erika’s website and Daumanmusic.com.

Artist Raph Solo Releases New Music Video Titled Love Lives

(NEW YORK) Artist Raph Solo has released a brand new music video that shows a different side to the out artist. He dances! “It’s all very tongue-and cheek,” he laughs. “I hope fans like the choreography and chutzpah.”

In “Love Lives”, Raph Solo boldly declares that he is no less equal than any other person for who he is or who he loves.

“I have worked very hard to gain the self-respect and acceptance I enjoy today,” he explains. “It’s been a difficult journey but I’m finally at a point where I know that I don’t need anyone’s approval to feel comfortable in my own skin.”

Just a few years ago, Raph admits he fought his feelings for men and even underwent reparative therapy in an attempt to cure himself of his homosexuality. In the end, it was even more damaging to Solo and his self-esteem. “It made me feel like a failure because no matter how hard I tried, I could not change my feelings.”

“Love Lives” was written and produced by Raph. The song is an R&B, modern pop groove; melodic with an edgy tech feel. He says he wasn’t originally planning to release the song. He recorded it on his birthday as a special gift to himself. Ultimately, however, Raph felt its message was an important one and that it reflected his current state of artistry. “I wanted to take my sound onto the streets and into the clubs,” he says.

Born to Lebanese/Chilean parents on the Gulf of Guinea in Nigeria, West Africa, Raph Solo is a singer, songwriter and music producer. He has released three full-length albums, including last summer’s THE ANONYMOUS ICON, featuring “Star” and “Good Morning London”.

Today, Raph is a proud gay man in a loving relationship with an English man from the East Midlands who shares his core values and beliefs.

Raph Solo’s “Love Lives” is being released globally through Angel King Musique and is available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon as well all other online retail outlets. Visit his website. Follow Raph Solo on Twitter and Facebook.

Jepsen Set To Perform On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon November 5th

Multi-platinum Grammy, Juno and Polaris Prize nominated singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen releases new song “Party For One” today, November 1, on 604/School Boy/Interscope Records. The track was co-written by Jepsen and produced by Captain Cuts and HIGHTOWER. “Party For One” is available now at all digital retailers and will appear on Jepsen’s forthcoming album which is set for release in 2019.

The video for “Party For One” was shot in New York City and directed by Bardia Zeinali. Watch the clip HERE. Jepsen will perform “Party For One” on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 5th (NBC, 11:35/10:35pm c).

Says Jepsen of her new song, “To me ‘Party For One’ is an anthem of what it is to celebrate time with yourself, which is a hard thing for people to really enjoy sometimes, and it’s something I’m learning to do more and more. This song represents a lot of what this album is about for me which is romantic love but self-love too.”

Jepsen’s 2015 album E*MO*TION, earned a host of rave reviews with several outlets – including TIME, Entertainment Weekly, Pitchfork, People, Stereogum, Vulture, Complex, and Noisey- declaring it the pop album of 2015. The set featured the platinum selling single “I Really Like You.” One year later Jepsen released E*MO*TION Side B as a gift to her fans and saw it immediately rise to the iTunes Top 10 . E*MO*TION followed the release of Jepsen’s U.S. debut album Kiss featuring the blockbuster break-out hit “Call Me Maybe” which climbed to #1 on the iTunes Singles charts in over 47 countries, has sold over 20 million singles worldwide and is certified Diamond in the United States. It earned Jepsen 2012 Grammy nominations for Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year.

Jepsen landed the lead role in the 2014 Broadway production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and later starred as the iconic Pink Lady, “Frenchy,” in FOX’s four-time EMMY award winning musical GREASE: LIVE. Most recently Jepsen voiced the character of Odette in the animated movie “LEAP!”. “LEAP!” featured Jepsen’s song “Cut To The Feeling” which has been hailed by critics as a top song of 2017 showing up on year end “Best Of” lists for Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Billboard, Noisey and more.

Artist K. Flay Premieres Official ‘High Enough’ Video And Announces North American Tour With Imagine Dragons

(NEW YORK) – Following the release of her latest album Every Where Is Some Where — which reached NUMBER 1 in the Billboard Heatseekers Chart – and her SOLD OUT North America tour this spring, alt-pop/hip-hop artist K. Flay is back with her official new video for her current single “High Enough,”along with a brand new arena tour announcement for the fall.

“High Enough” – which continues to gain strength in Alternative Radio across America — premiered worldwide today via Billboard Magazine. Directed by Lorraine Nicolson, she explains “the “High Enough” video is an unconventional retelling of a universal theme: music’s ability to unite us despite our differences. A great song can cut across cultural boundaries better than language can, and I think K.Flay’s new track has that kind of power. For our team, it was important the video retained a sense of playfulness, which was made possible by the nuanced performances of dancers Savannah Harrison and Scott Hislop as choreographed by Andrew Winghart.” Watch the video here.

Talking about the single, K.Flay declares “there are so many songs out there about getting fucked up,” she says of the song’s inspiration. “I think a part of me was asking the question: ‘What if I’m already high enough? What if I don’t need anything but what I’ve got?’ There are many moments in my life—whether it’s because of a person or a place—that I don’t want to feel altered or high or buzzed. I just want to feel exactly what I’m feeling.”

Starting September 26th in Phoenix, AZ, K.Flay will be joining Imagine Dragons as support for an incredible 31-date stretch across North America with a stop in Houston November 12 at Toyota Center. November 13 in Dallas at American Airlines Aren.